Two men have been arrested after allegedly “casing” the Circle K convenience store, early Thursday morning.

Justin Isom, 21, of an Old Mission Road address, and Marcellus Jones, 22, of a Dogwood Drive address, were both charged with criminal conspiracy.

According to an affidavit of complaint, police were called to 6708 Ringgold Rd. at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday in reference to a robbery. When they got there they encountered two men standing inside the store close to an ATM.

According to the report, the clerk called the cops after seeing one of the men try to reach around the counter and gain access to the cash register. The clerk told officers that Jones asked him for help with the ATM, and at that time Isom made his way to the front of the store. Video surveillance shows Isom check to make sure the clerk wasn’t looking before attempting to open the cash register.

The report states that both Isom and Jones were read their rights.

During a “pat down” for weapons, an officer discovered a small amount of marijuana and several Xanax pills in Jones’s “purse.” Police later located a backpack belonging to Jones in the store. Inside the backpack officers discovered a stolen Smith & Wesson .40-cal. pistol.

The report states “it appeared to the clerk that the two individuals had been ‘casing’ the store, with their first of several visits happening at about 9 p.m., and the actual offense taking place at 12:26 a.m.”

Isom was also charged with Possession of Schedule IV Drugs and Theft of Property. Jones was charged with Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Stolen Property and Possessing a Firearm with Intent to go Armed. He is being held at the Hamilton County Jail under a $20,000 bond.

The pair are scheduled to appear in East Ridge Municipal Court on June 25.